Electron tube socket

ABSTRACT

An electron tube socket having a plurality of terminal pin contacts coupled to electrically conductive connectors which define a predetermined spacial distance or spark gap between the connector and a conductor ring for dissipating surges of high voltage electrical energy. The tube socket has discrete gaps formed between the connectors and conductor ring such that arcing is initiated across contiguous edges of the spark gap and the surfaces adjacent the contiguous edges are positioned such that after initiation of arcing, the arcing energy is dissipated along these surfaces. The edges of the connectors and conductor ring are abraded to precisely and accurately control breakdown voltage for protection against over-voltage transients by removing nonmeniscus discontinuities from the edges thereby eliminating low impedance points which vary arc over voltage and facilitate low voltage corona breakdown.

United States a Patent- 1 Dumas et al.

[ 1 ELECTRON TUBE SOCKET [75] Inventors: Christ J; Dumas, Forest View; Stephen S. Simovits, Jr., Downers Grove, both of ill.

[73] Assignee: American Plasticraft Company,

Chicago, 111.

22 Filed: Oct. 15,1973

[21] Appl. No.': 406,584

[52] U.S. Cl 313/325, 29/25, 313/318,

. 317/69 [51] Int. Cl H0lj 17/00, H01] 21/00 [58] Field of Search 313/325, 318, 311;

[56] v References Cited.

6/1973 Hall 313/325 i 3,869,633 1 Mar. 4, 1975 Primary Examiner-Michael J. Lynch Assistant E.raminerSaxfi'eld Chatmon, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmRoy E. Petherbridge; Robert L. Lindgren; Edward D. Gilhooly [57] ABSTRACT An electron tube socket having a plurality of terminal pin contacts coupled to electrically conductive connectors which define a predetermined spacial distance or spark gap between the connector and a conductor ring for dissipating surges of high voltage electrical energy. The tube socket has discrete gaps formed between the connectors and conductor ring such that arcing is initiated acrosscontiguous edges of the spark gap and the surfaces adjacent the contiguous edges are positioned such that after initiation of arcing. the arcing energy is dissipated along these surfaces. The edges of the connectors and conductor ring are abraded to precisely and accurately control breakdown voltage for protection against over-voltage transients by removing non-meniscus discontinuities from the edges thereby eliminating low impedance points which vary are over voltage and facilitate low voltage corona breakdown.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures mgmggm 41975 3, 869.633

sum 2 or 2 1 ELECTRON TUBE SOCKET BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION More specifically, this invention relates to an electron tube socket wherein the spark gaps formed between contiguous edges of electrical conductors are mechanically or chemically abraded subsequent to initial formation of the spark gap for more precisely controlling the arc over voltage and increasing the corona 7 threshold level.

In electron tubes, for example television picture tubes, extremely high voltages in the orderof l0,000 to 26,000 volts are used to accelerate'cathode ray beams to the screen of the picture tube display device-These picture tubes have narrow neck portions with the terminal pins spaced circumferentially thereabout so closely that occasional arcing results regardless of all known prior attempts to provide an insulation barrier between the terminal pins or between theterminal sockets for the pins. When arcing occurs, the high voltage is conducted through the tube pins, terminal sockets, and lead Wires to other components in the television set. These violent and incipient cathode ray tube arcs cause the television display tube (CRT) to damage or destroy itself. Serious repetitious and violet cascading arcing will cause a failure in the associated chassis circuitry and in certain cases can result in tires.

This arcing is a result of the ionization and break down of air or other gas media betweentwoor more points of high potential difference. The arc occurs in the form of an electric current or plasma which is en.- tirely dependent on'the origin, mode and dwell period resulting from high votlage energy stored in the picture tube and certain transformer circuits. When arcing occurs, the stored energy is discharged through some low resistance, path, causing the high voltage on the CRT to drop to avery low value-The loaded high voltage sys-.

tem will cause the high voltage regulator to lose control of this circuit varying the output impedance as much as two or three times its normal level.

When arcing occurs the accelerating force from the cathode ray beams is removed resulting in a zero brightness on the display device during the arc event period. This eliminates the dynamic load for the high voltage supply which rises again to a very high value resulting in arc cascading. Thehigh voltage-rises, in the order of 50,000 to 65,000 .volts, since the regulator circuit cannot recover quickly enough which, therefore, allows the uncontrolled high voltage-supply to rise to its maximum voltage level. This excessive high voltage transient energy over-stresses the picture tube, high voltage components, and wiring resulting indamage to theCRT and associated circuitry.

Several types of arc protection have been utilized to eliminate or attempt to minimize this serious problem in television picture tube manufacture and mainte- .nance. For example, individual spark gap devices have been employed, which, while initially effective, areusually constructed of materials that break down after'continuous arcing. Such materials once tracked, or arced, become carbonized and lose the efficiency and accuracy of the spark gap protection requiring frequent replacement. 7

Another attempt has been to use twisted insulated wire pairs which also has not been satisfactory since these elements will break down after repeated arcing. These twisted wire pairs usually employ a film or minimal plastic insulation designed for a predetermined breakover voltage. The materials usually track and provide a lower resistance value requiring replacement after repeated arcing due to carbonization and variations which occur in the spacial distance forming the arc gap.

Another attempt to solve this problem has been the discrete use of metal to define a spacing between the terminal strip lug. Various combinations have been internally designed to accomplish thisend. However, this type of system requires'hand adjusted or internally designed mechanical spacings which are very difficult to control in production. They are also very susceptible to being damaged or having the spacial distance definingthe spark gap varied through normal production handling. This variation in spacial distance destroys the breakover voltage spark adjustment and the insulated mounting surfaces usually track and carbonize resulting in frequent replacement after repeated arcing.

A further attempt to provide arc protection has been the use of slot spacings between two co-positioned cut foil patterns formed on printed-circuit boards with one of the patterns being grounded. However, printed circuit boards having slotted spark gaps carbonize and the foil material has been found to lift from the board due to the intense heat generated during'the arcing event.

-'These failures result in the gap becoming ineffective and in cases of severe repeated'or cascaded arcing, the circuit boards have been found to ignite within the TV set.

In addition, certain arcing events involving particular terminal pins, such as the terminal pin associated with the focus element of the picture tube, require extremely accurate control of the break-over or arc-over voltage. The spark gap associated with such terminals must minimize extraneous circuit loading so that the arcing eventcan be closely and precisely controlled.

Two commercially successful spark gap sockets which have solved many of the problems associated with the prior attempts are described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,636,412 and 3,733,522. These patents disclose and claim electron tube sockets wherein the spark gap is formed by removing a portion of an electrical conductor subsequentto its being securely positioned within the body of the tube socket, and positioning the adjacent edges ofthe spark gap defining elements such that arcing is initiated across-contiguous edges of the gap defining members and is -dissipated across the adjacent SUMMARY OF'Tl-IE INVENTION It'is, therefore; an object of this invention to improve electronttube sockets for dissipating high voltage transients. 7

Another object of this invention is to immediately dissipate to ground high voltage surges occurring in electron tubes to. protect the tubes and associated circuitry. I

A further object of this inventionis to maintain a protective spark gap system stable through cohered arcing paths to ground such that a high current are will clear the arc source quickly thereby minimizingthe cascading arc phenomena.

Still another object of this invention is to precisely control the spark gap spacing such that the breakdown voltage is precisely controlled and the arc plasma is dissipated to preventerosion of the precise spark gap spacing configuration. I

Yet another object of this invention is to precisely edges fof the spark socket;

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention wherein there is provided an electron tube socket having discretely formed spark gaps'which function to precisely control the arc-over voltage and dissipate the are energy or plasma leivelin gap positioned within the tube va manner such that the spacial distance defining the.

spark gap is not effected by sustained arcing through removal of non-meniscus discontinuities from the spark gap forming members for more precise control. of the response time and accuracy of breakdown voltage.

DESCRIPTION OFTI-IE DRAWINGS Further-objects of this invention, together with addi tional features contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom,,will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention-whensocket illustrating the connection'of electron tube terminal pins and associated circuitry with the spark gap means; I FIG. 5 is a schematicalrepresentation of the elements comprising the spark gap to illustrate the occurrence of arcing and dissipation of the arc plasma thereafter; and I I FIGS. 6 are sc'hematical representations of the elements comprising the spark-gap to illustrate the gap prior to (A) and subsequent to (B) removal of the nonmeniscus discontinuities to better illustrate the effect on the arc plasma.

Referring to the embodi ent shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the tube socketass'emblyis' generally referred to by the numeral 10 andincludes a stepped baseplate ll havaing a central opening 13 disposed therethrough with a depending peripheral flange 12 excontrol the arc-over voltage through abrading the I tending outwardly from the'inner periphery of the baseplate 11. A series of positioning holes- 14 are circumferentiallyspaced around the base portion of the baseplate 11 between the central opening 13 and the outer periphery of the plate. The positioning holes 14 are formed for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. The baseplate 11 also includes a series of latch forming members 15a which extend outwardly from the base portion of the baseplate 11 and are used in cooperation with another element of the tube socket assembly to removeably secure the parts thereof.

The baseplate 11 further includes a plurality of upper barrier walls 16 which depend outwardly from the base portion or. planar surface of the baseplate 11. The peripheral flange 12 circumferentially extends outward from the periphery of the central opening l'3,'and is formed with a plurality of notches 17 for receiving mating portions of barrier walls extending from a central mounting plate 30. r

The central mounting plate 30 supports a plurality of terminal pin contact assemblies 20 (three of which are shown in FIG. 1)with each contact assembly'having an inner end 21 forming a tube pin receptacle for connectingto the terminal pins of a cathode, raytube and a support contact which functions 'to. mechanically'support the tube pin receptacle 21 in apertures 22 formed in the mounting plate and electrically functions to connect the tube pins to 'elongated'radial members 40 which form a portion of the spark gap assembly 50. Ex-

tending from the outer end 24 of the terminal pin contact is a lead wire 26 whichis coupled through a resistor 27 to an appropriate circuit wire connected within the television receiver or other appropriate device.

I to engage lugs 33 extending from a cover plate 60 to be described in detail hereinafter. A plurality of barrier sides of the mounting plate 30 and on the lower surface I walls 34 extend circumferentially outward from the outer periphery of the mounting'plate to engage and retain the resistors 27 and/or circuit wires to provide mechanical strain relief andJelectrica-l insulation between the respective electrical componentsxThe bar-v rier walls 34 which extend outwardly from both planar as seen in FIG. 1 provide an electrical isolation barrier between electrical leads and betweenithe spark gap assembly 50. The central mounting plate 30includes a central opening 35 co-axial with the central opening 13 in the baseplatell and a series of smaller openings 36 which are circumferentially spaced about the mounting plate 30 to mechanically and electrically couple the support section 23 of the terminal pin connectors to a portion of the radial'member 40(a) which forms a part of thesparkgapassembly 50. A second plurality of openings 59 areformed in the mounting plate 30 between the connecting openings 36 for the support section 23 and the outer periphery of the mounting plate 30 to form arc chambers 51.

The central mounting plate 30 includes a conductive ring 39 molded into the body thereof. The mounting plate 30-having a conductive ring 39 molded therein is placed in a shearingdie which shears and forms the arc gap assembly '50, Arc chambers 51 are formed in the The termina'l pin contact assembly 20 is mechanically supported by the central mounting plate 30 which is mounting plate and-the shearing dies maybe extended through these chambers toform the spark gap 52.

The are gap assembly 50 is formed in the elongated radial members 40 by shearing the elongated members acrosstheir width to form a gap or opening 52, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As the radial members 40 are sheared, the lower edge 53 (referring to FIG. 3) of the right-hand end portion of the gap assembly 50 is bent downward relative to the adjacent left-hand end portion such that the edge 56 is positioned contiguous to or adjacent the lower edge 54 of the left-hand portion. The term contiguous herein is used in the dictionary meaning of near but not in actual contact. An angled surface 58 is formed during this operation which functions in a manner as will be more fully-explained hereinafter.

One important advantage of the construction of the sheared gap assembly, as best described with reference to FIG. 5, is that the arc gap spacing between the edges 54 and 56 can be precisely formed and controlled to provide protection against undesired arcing relativeto the terminal pins of the electron tube. This precise and accurately controlled arc gap assembly 50 dissipates any high voltage energy before this energy can produce arcing, for example, across adjacent terminal pins of the electron tube. The graduated electrical spacing formed by the shearing operation disperses the arc energy along selected paths as amathematical function. An initial arcing is developed across the gap 52- between the contiguous edges 54 and S6 to thereby provide a precise controllable arc-over voltage due to the edge-to-edge spacing. The two spaced edges, 54 and 56, separated by air are sufficiently close'to each other such that an arc will be formed therebetween upon the occurrence of a voltage surge of a predetermined magnitude. This disruptive discharge or arcing event is usually accompanied by a sharp, quick snap or tickling-action and the phenomenon may be explained by noting that the few ions which are always present in airare hurtled violently so that they produceother ions by collision; these latter ions in turn produce still more ions, and by this accumulative action the air dielectric breaks-down and the voltage surge and any other energies present in the circuit are dissipated across theair gap during the arcing occurrence.

Once the arcing or break-over voltage occurs, the space between the two edges function somewhat like a defined conduction chamber. Thus, when ionization occurs a low impedance is presented to the current flowing across the gap. The electrons stream from one edge and encounter air or gas molecules on the way to the other edge; when an electron collides with a molecule the energy transmitted by the collision may cause the molecules to release an electron and become a positively charged ion. The sheared or shear-formed gap assembly enables the arcing or ignition voltage to initiate an arcing event and, then, permits the arcing energy to be dissipated along the adjacent surfaces it is believed according to a mathematical function, apparently a logarithmic function. When arcing is initiated between'edg es 54 and 56 the ionization phenomenon will spread in the space between the electrodes because of the decreased impedance across the air gap.'After ionization has been initiated, the action maintains itself and relatively large currents flow at a voltage consideris initiated, the arcing current is gradually dispersed away from the edge-to-edge gap (elements 54 and 56) and is dissipated throughout the large angular planar surfaces 57 and 58, thereby providing a large energy handling capacity while retaining a structure having a precise, accurate, and controllable arc-over striking voltage and/or ignition voltage.

The area of the dissipating surfaces may be theoretically or empirically determined with relation to the desired arc-over or break-down voltage, distance or width of gap 52, the gage or thickness of the width of the radial member 40, and the angle of the inclined surface 58. A particular advantage of the construction of the invention is that gap integrity is maintained. For example, if the structure is designed to cause striking or arcover at 1,500 volts, arcing will still occur at 1,500 volts plus or minus a preselected tolerance even after extensive or sustained arcing occurrence. The inclination of the surface 58, allows dissipation of the are energy preventing the point of arc ignition (edges 54 and 56) from over-heating and oxidizing thereby forming a higher resistance barrier across the gap which affects the ignition or arc-over voltage required to establish the next arcing event. I

The shearing of the radial member 40 to form the arc gap assembly accentuates the formation of a space or gap where the edges (54 and 56) are the closest spaced surfaces and the respective adjacent or associated surfaces 57 and 58 are positioned at an angle with respect to the opposing edge. The angle at which surface 58 is inclined ispredetermined by the forming die and a preferred embodiment has been found to be a surface forming an angle of approximately 30 relative to the plane ofthe member 40. The arc-over protective spark gap 52 is based on the concept of dissipating the energy resulting from the initial arc occurrence. Or, particularly, the structure forms a defined edge or point in combination with a graduated electrical spacing operating somewhat as a so-called Jacobs ladder or horn gap. The arc is initiated at a .predetermined break-over voltage level and then effectively dissipated to thereby afford positive protection against arcing damage of the associated electronic components or the gap ignition elements.

As shown in FIGS. 6, after the shear and form operation has been completed forming two spaced edges 54 and 56, separated by air, non-meniscus discontinuities or burrs 46 are formed along these edges. These erratic protrusions affect precise control of the arc over initiating voltage and form a point of lower impedance to facilitate undesirable corona formation as previously discussed. While for purposes of illustration, a shear and form type of spark gap' has been described, it is to be understood that the abrading process may be utilized in any type of gap forming process wherein the spaced elements are formed by cutting, punching, notching, or any other type of process wherein the elements have non-meniscus discontinuities. In addition, the abrading process is intended to include any process which removes the discontinuities and may include, but is not limited to, wet or dry sand, glass, or grit blasting, a chemical subtractive system, or a laser-electric plasma treatment The removal of these non-meniscus discontinuities results in a more controllable spark gap structure during all conditions of altitude, air pressure, temperature variations, and humidity.

It has been found by dynamic and empirical work that the use of higher anode voltages and higher voltage power supplies in television receivers, and other types of electrical equipment employing cathode ray tubesor a cathode control ray device (such as x-ray tubes), that the control of the electrical arc over valves of the spark gap must be equated to the true are over protective metionship to the construction of the cathoderay tube socket implementing the spark gap system. Theincreased anode voltages and higher power supply levels require that the spark gap spacings must be closer than the pin topin and/or pin to adjacent pin structure spacings as determined by the construction of the -CRT tube base and socket entity. as well as the structural layout and physical characteristics of the sock-ct connection itself. For example,.normal specifications require that pin to pin arc ove'r protection must be approximately v 2,000 volts.

While it is known that the most accurate control of a an initial are over voltage is between two point sources, it'has been'found that dueto the above recited factors, Y the mechanical spacings of such elements'would be greater than the pin to pin and or pin to pin structure spacings and, therefore, incompatible the receiver. Therefore, in addition to providing a more precise control of the are over initiating voltage and eliminating points of lower impedance which would facilitate undesirable corona formations, it-has been found that the removalof thenon-meniscus discontinuities from the spark gap structure forms a tangentially controlled.

point are source which may be positioned such that the arc gap formingelements are closer than the pin to pin and/or pin to pin structure spacing. The abrading or removal of the non-meniscus discontinuities fromthe two spaced edges 54 and 56 greatly enhances thecontrol of the are over initiating voltage, eliminates the random points of lower impedance which would allow the creation of undesirable'corona formation and permits the two edges 54 and 56m bespaced apart a distance less than the pin to pin and/or pin to pin structure spacing.

These spark gap elements forming the point of arc-over ign'ition'are circumferentially spaced about the central mounting plate 30.

The central mounting plate has a plurality of mutually spaced holes 37 arranged circumferentially I about and spaced inwardly from the central opening to receive a corresponding number of terminalpin contacts 20 which function to electrically connect the terminal pins of the electron tube with the tube socket assembly. Each of these holes 37 is enlarged in diamefrom the upper surface of the central mounting plate 30 for a distance equal to the height of the barrier walls 38 and barrier walls 34 positioned at the outer peripheral edge of the planar disc 31.

The barrier walls 34 formed at the outer peripheral edge of the planar disc 31 provides insulation for each separate circuit wireleading into the terminal pin,

contacts 20. In addition, these barriers which extend upwardly and downwardly from the planar surface as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 improve lead retention and provide strain relief for the connecting circuit wires.

This strain relief in combination with the cover plate 60 1 provides omnipositional strain relief for all of the circuit wires. An elliptically shaped opening 42 is formed in the planar disc 31 and functions to contain thehigh voltage spark gap within the socket assembly.

"As previously described, the conductive or ground ring 39 is molded into the central mounting plate 30 and forms a peripheral planar ground ring adjacent the peripheral edge of the planar disc 31 encircling the entire socket assembly. The ground ring 39 has a strap 39a connected between the ring 39 and electrical ground. a

The formation of the arc 'terial due to the thickness of the ring of approximately ter at the end which is to receive the terminal pins of' the electron tube to guide the tube pins into the terminal contacts and to allow for any misalignment of the terminals. A'ny selected number of holes 37 are provided depending upon the electronic characteristics of the tube to be mounted to the socket. A plurality of 0.0025 or greatenThe arc ring being formed in this manner provides better dumping or disposing of unwanted high voltage energy transients. In addition, the

ground ring forms a shorted loop system to effectively control cascaded arcing, as previously discussed, which produces large transients. If the ground ring were formed as an open ring, asin prior art devices, these voltage transients, occurring-in an open loop, through a combination of capacitive and conductive properties associated with the adjacent ends of an open loop'systern, form a tuned circuit. By forming the arc .ring as a closed peripheral planar ground ring this tuned circuit is heavily loaded by its own Q because it is a shorted loop. Therefore, any are energy present throughout the ring is quickly disposed or dissipated in both directions which thereby shorts out or'shunts the high frequency surface current.

The cover plate 60 comprises a planar disc having a depending peripheral flange 62 extending'downwardly from the planar disc (FIG. 1) and having a series of openings 63. The openings 63 are formed to correspond to the circuit wires 26 providing entrance into thetube socket assembly 10. The planar disc also has an opening 54 having a key way formed on the disc surface which is co-axial with the central opening 35 of the mounting plate and the central opening 13 of thebaseplate to receive the central neck portion of the electron tube. The inner surface of planar disc 61 (as seen in FIG. 1) is formedwith a plurality of spaced lugs 65 which are co-axial with the terminal pin contacts or end 21 to mechanically secure each of the terminal pin contacts, in the hole 37 formed in the central mounting plate. Barrier walls 66 are formed on this same planar surface extending downwardly to function in cooperaring'in this manner provides a substantial mechanical support for the insulating ma-' tion with the barrier-walls 16 of the base plate 11 to form an electrically isolated chamber to isolate the controlled atmosphere spark gap 45.

The planar surface 61 of the cover plate is formed with a vent hole 67 (which may also be formed in the base plate 11 as shown in FIG. 1) which functions to vent any gases formed during'an arcing event to the atmosphere outside of the socket assembly such that these gases will not build up within the tube socket apparatus. v

The tube socket assembly 10 is sealed after assembly to prevent accidental removal or displacement of any of the internal components of the socket assembly. To seal the three elements 11, 30 and 60 of the socket assembly, the central mounting plate is positionedbe tween the cover plate 60 and the base plate 11 with the sealing bosses 33 of the coverplate passing through the holes 14 in the mounting plate. The bosses 33 are then flared at their external end, as by applying heat, to form a unitary construction which prevents accidental removal or displacement of any internal components. of thesocket assembly. A plurality of latch portions 15b are secured to the outer depending peripheral flange 62 to function in cooperation with the latch elements 15a of the base plate 11 to secure the elements of the socket assembly. However, if it should becomenecessary or desirable to replace or service any internal components within the tube socket assembly, the latches 15a and 15b are operable such that the socket assembly may be opened for access to the internal components. The bosses 33, may be utilized individually or in combination for a semi-permanent assembly of the tube socket such that access to the internal components thereof may be had only through intentional opening of the socket assembly such as by removal of the flared end of the bosses 33.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

l. A tube socket assembly for dissipating transient surges of high voltage occurring at the terminal pins of an electron tube comprising enclosure means to form an electrically insulated internal chamber,

terminal receiving means for electrical coupling to .the term inal pins of an electron tube carried by said enclosure means, spark gap defining means within said enclosure means electrically coupled to said terminal receiving means comprising a first electrode having the terminal pin voltage imposed thereon and an adjacent grounded electrode separated by a dielectric material, said first electrode and said grounded electrode having adjacent portions abraded to remove non-meniscus discontinuities formed during fabrication of said electrodes to precisely control arc-over initiation voltage and to prevent corona formation at points of lower impedance,

a high-voltage chamber segregated from the remaining portion of said dielectric body portion by means of a barrier wall and having a controlled uniformly spaced spark gap for stabilizing a highvoltage lead during surges of electrical energy,

said spark gaps are positioned within openings defined by said dielectric body portion such that the arc energy is uniformly stressed in the area of the spark gap,

said dielectric material separating said electrodes provides a variable impedance therebetween,

said electrodes separated by a dielectric material include first means across which an arc is initiated and second means for dissipating the arc energy,

'and electrical leads electrically coupled to said terminal receiving means and said gap defining means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a cutaway edge portion of said electrical connection means and a cutaway edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said cut edge portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a punched edge portion of said electrical connection means and a punched edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said punched edge portions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps a grounded lead electrically coupled to said closed loop.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said graduated spacing between said electrodes comprises an angled surface formed on one of said electrodes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including electrical leads electrically coupled to said terminal receiving means and said gap defining means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein 'said enclosure means includes means for providing stress relief on said electrical leads. 

1. A tube socket assembly for dissipating transient surges of high voltage occurring at the terminal pins of an electron tube comprising enclosure means to form an electrically insulated internal chamber, terminal receiving means for electrical coupling to the terminal pins of an electron tube carried by said enclosure means, spark gap defIning means within said enclosure means electrically coupled to said terminal receiving means comprising a first electrode having the terminal pin voltage imposed thereon and an adjacent grounded electrode separated by a dielectric material, said first electrode and said grounded electrode having adjacent portions abraded to remove nonmeniscus discontinuities formed during fabrication of said electrodes to precisely control arc-over initiation voltage and to prevent corona formation at points of lower impedance, a high-voltage chamber segregated from the remaining portion of said dielectric body portion by means of a barrier wall and having a controlled uniformly spaced spark gap for stabilizing a high-voltage lead during surges of electrical energy, said spark gaps are positioned within openings defined by said dielectric body portion such that the arc energy is uniformly stressed in the area of the spark gap, said dielectric material separating said electrodes provides a variable impedance therebetween, said electrodes separated by a dielectric material include first means across which an arc is initiated and second means for dissipating the arc energy, and electrical leads electrically coupled to said terminal receiving means and said gap defining means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a cutaway edge portion of said electrical connection means and a cutaway edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said cut edge portions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a punched edge portion of said electrical connection means and a punched edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said punched edge portions.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a stamped edge portion of said electrical connection means and a stamped edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said stamped edge portions.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grounded electrode comprises an electrical conductor forming a closed loop having a protrusion spaced from said first electrode.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said closed loop is formed in a circular configuration.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein further including a grounded lead electrically coupled to said closed loop.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said graduated spacing between said electrodes comprises an angled surface formed on one of said electrodes.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including electrical leads electrically coupled to said terminal receiving means and said gap defining means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure means includes means for providing stress relief on said electrical leads. 